Manitoba Organic Regulations and Resources

Organic farming is an integrated system of farming based on ecological principles. Whether you're new to farming or are planning to transition from conventional production, there is a steep learning curve. Give yourself plenty of time to learn about building soil fertility and alternative methods for managing weeds and pests. The resources in the sections that follow will help you get started, but be prepared to do lots of reading and talking to organic farmers as you build your confidence and skills.

Spring Seeding: Starting the Growing Season Off Right

Anne Kirk presents 'Starting the Season Off Right' at the Manitoba Organic Alliance's Spring Seeding Workshop on April 2nd, 2019. Presentation includes variety selection, seeding dates, seeding rates and early season weed control.

Cover Crop in Organic Systems

This document provides an overview of how the NRCS Cover Crop (340) conservation practice can be implemented on organic operations. It discusses different purposes for the practice's use, design considerations, and how installation might differ in organic systems. Specifically, it outlines techniques and specifications to help NRCS conservationists and partners meet the requirements of the NRCS Cover Crop (340) practice standard and comply with USDA National Organic Program regulations.

On-Farm Trials

Jordan Karpinchik presents ‘On-Farm Trials’ at the Manitoba Organic Alliance’s Spring Seeding Workshop on April 2nd, 2019. Presentation includes considerations for setting up on-farm trials, data collection and tools to help farmers set up their own trials.

Prairie Organic Grain Initiative Final Evaluation

Organic Agriculture in the Prairies 2018 Data

Canada Organic Trade Association’s latest report shows continued growth of Prairie organic acreage and operations in 2018. This is the fifth report on Prairie organic operations and acreage published by the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) and commissioned by the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative.

Fact Sheet: Do You Have Questions?

Organic farmers, those transitioning to organic production, and those who are just curious: a resource is available to answer questions and to help you explore options. Pivot and Grow's 'Ask and Expert' phone line (1-800-245-8341) offers farmers and opportunity to ask questions about everything from organic certification requirements to green manure options, from how to find local organic farmers to how to control Canada thistle, from designing rotations to finding a certifier.

Alberta Organic Products Regulations

As of April 1, 2019, any product sold or labeled as organic must be certified through a third-part certification body.
This website will give you information on the Supporting Alberta's Local Food Sector Act and the Alberta organic certification regulations.

British Columbia Organic Certification

As of September 1, 2018, the term “organic” is now a protected label within British Columbia for agricultural products that have been produced or processed in British Columbia, and for which certified organic programs exist. Learn about organic certification and marketing in British Columbia with this resource.

Organic No-Till: Rural Routes to Climate Solutions Podcast

Organic no-till crop production is a bit of a holy grail in agriculture. If you are an organic crop producer, you usually have to till to fight off weeds. If you are a no-till crop producer, you usually have to spray because of weed pressure. But what if you could have the best of both worlds: build soil carbon and not have to spray? It may seem like a pipe dream, but there are producers and researchers working on this right now. Listen to Keith Bamford of the University of Manitoba and grain producers Justin Duban of Lethbridge and James Bozarth of Sexsmith as they discuss their experiments with organic no-till crop production.

10 Tips to Avoid a Barn Fire

OFRF-funded Research Supports the Creation of a Nutrient Budget Tool for Organic Grain Farmers

This report outlines how the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative and the University of Manitoba educated farmers on the proper use of green manures and developed a tool specifically designed to measure the nutrient needs of organic farms. In addition, the project addressed the lack of robust organic extension services in the region by training local agronomists in organic green manure practices.

The State of Organics: Federal-Provincial-Territorial Performance Report 2018

Following up on COTA's highly touted The State of Organics: Federal-Provincial-Territorial Performance Report 2017, we released our second State of Organics report, with important updates from our benchmark study.

Organic Transition and Production Web Tool (French)

This Web tool was produced by the Union des producteurs agricoles, in collaboration with the Quebec Reference Center for Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Center for Expertise and Transfer in Organic and Local Agriculture, to inform agricultural producers on the transition to organic farming.
The development of the content of this tool was carried out with the collaboration of the members and partners of the Organic Production Development Table, experienced farmers in organic farming, agricultural professionals, representatives of organizations and companies with an expertise in organic farming.
VirageBio is a complementary tool to those that already exist and does not replace the professional coaching services offered by counselors. VirageBio makes no agronomic recommendation, but aims to enlighten agricultural producers in this growing sector in Quebec.

Organic Agriculture in Alberta Statistics

Organic Alberta is pleased to announce the release of the 2017 Organic Agriculture in Alberta Statistics Report. With data provided by certification bodies and the Canada Organic Trade Association, this report shows an increase in organic operations and acreage in Alberta.

Free the Seed! Podcast

This podcast is for anyone interested in the plants we eat – farmers, gardeners, and food-curious folks – who want to dig deeper into the story of where their food comes from. It’s about how new crop varieties make it into your seed catalogues, and onto your tables.

Organic Agriculture in the Prairies: 2017 Data

The Prairie Organic Grain Initiative (POGI) is pleased to announce the release of the 2017 Organic Agriculture in the Prairies Report. Organic certification bodies across Canada provided 2017 operation and acreage data to the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), who in turn compiled, analyzed, and produced the report, with support and insights from POGI and sector experts.

ATTRA Biosecurity Basics Tipsheet for Pastured Poultry

By Kevin Ellis, Agriculture Specialist
By implementing simple biosecurity measures on their farms, producers can reduce the risk of disease outbreaks dramatically.
What Is Biosecurity and Why Is It Important?
Promoting Health in the Brooder
Maintaining Health on Pasture
Managing Feed and Contact with Wildlife
Controlling Foot Traffic
Environmental Factors to Prevent Disease
What to Do If the Flock Gets Sick
Further Resources

ATTRA Biosecurity for Pasture and Organic Poultry Webinar

Recording of webinar with NCAT/ATTRA Poultry Specialist Kevin Ellis to learn about proactive steps you can take to increase biosecurity on your farm by planning ahead of your chicks' arrival and through day-to-day management. Topics to be covered in this webinar include biosecurity, setting goals, flock sourcing, equipment, housing designs, and poultry health.

Organic Agriculture in the Prairies: 2016 Data

The Prairie Organic Grain Initiative (POGI) is pleased to announce the release of the 2016 Organic Agriculture in the Prairies Report. Organic certification bodies across Canada provided 2016 operation and acreage data to the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), who in turn compiled, analyzed, and produced the report, with support and insights from POGI and sector experts.

Canadian Organic Standards – General Principles and Management Standards

Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. The principal goal of organic production is to develop operations that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.This document describes the principles and management standard of organic production systems.

Canadian Organic Standards – Permitted Substances List

This document provides lists of substances that are allowed for use in organic production systems. As is the case for all products sold in Canada, organic inputs—such as, but not limited to, fertilizers, feed supplements, pesticides, soil amendments, veterinary treatments, processing additives or aids, sanitizing and cleaning material—and products derived from organic agriculture, such as, but not limited to, feed and food, should comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.

Filing a complaint on CFIA website

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has added a section to the website of the Canada Organic Regime OR Standards– File a complaint related to the Canada Organic Regime (COR).
For any product sold in Canada with a suspected fraudulent organic claim, complaints can be filed against the operator (company) holding certification under the COR scope, CFIA-designated Conformity Verification Bodies (CVB), CFIA-accredited Certification Bodies (CB), and the Canada Organic Regime (COR) team.

Assuring Crop Quality

Cleaning your grain can go a long way to improving your crop for sale by removing weeds, off colours and any other material. It improves its storage life and can also be beneficial in storing your grain for use as seed. Learn how to maintain food quality in storage.

Managing Weeds

It’s true that weed management is probably the biggest challenge faced by organic producers. While an organic field will never be 100% weed-free, the organic approach involves a suite of techniques to prevent weeds from adversely affecting crop yields. Learn how to live with weeds!

Building Soil Fertility

It all starts with building healthy soil. Successful organic farming is based on using carefully planned multi-year crop rotations and boosting soil organic matter with green manuring and adding compost. Learn how to build the fertility of your soil.

Rodale Institute: Roller Crimper

What is “Organic No-till,” and Is It Practical?

Since the advent of no-till in conventional row crop production, soil conservation and improvement aspects of no-tillage systems have attracted the interest of some organic farmers. The big question, of course, is how to do it without synthetic herbicides.
Mark Schonbeck, Virginia Association for Biological Farming. 2010

Design of an organic farming crop rotation experiment

A Danish field experiment is conducted which focuses on crop rotations for cereal production in organic farming. The objective of the experiment is to explore the possibilities for both short-term and long-term increases in organic cereal production through manipulation of crop rotation design on different soil types.
Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 2004

OACC Website – Field Crops – Weed Control

Twelve Steps Toward Ecological Weed Management in Organic Vegetables

Ecological weed management begins with careful planning of the cropping system to minimize weed problems, and seeks to utilize biological and ecological processes in the field and throughout the farm ecosystem to give crops the advantage over weeds.
Article by Mark Schonbeck, Virginia Association for Biological Farming

This report addresses the impacts of different mulch systems on soil quality and fertility, weed control, yields and waste production, and profitability for small to mid-size vegetable operations.
Rodale Institute, June 2014.

Organic Grain Buyers

Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada

The accurate identification of pests, the damage they cause, and their natural enemies is one of six elements of a sound Integrated Pest Management approach to manage pest populations. This field guide from Ag and Agrifood Canada is designed to help you apply this element to make more informed decisions to control important harmful insects and mites of field and forage crops in Western Canada.

MSU organic farming study finds diverse benefits using sheep

Using sheep, rather than traditional farming equipment to manage fallow and terminate cover crops may enable organic farmers to save money, reduce tillage, manage weeds and pests, and reduce the risk of soil erosion, according to Montana State University and North Dakota State University researchers. 2015

Relocation of Livestock Facilities Planning Guide

This publication was developed to assist producers in identifying the environmental risks associated with their current livestock facilities, helping them determine how to mitigate the risks and steps to consider when relocating facilities. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. 2015

Organic Poultry Production: A Good Fit for Your Farm?

Organic Livestock Handbook 2nd Edition (book)

Authors Laura Telford and Anne Macey, have fully revised the 2nd edition of the Organic Livestock Handbook to reflect the Canadian Organic Standards and latest research on organic livestock production. You will find details on production practices as well as tips and techniques for transitioning to organic. Contact Organic Alberta to order a copy.

The objective is to determine if flax can stress chickpeas enough to hasten seed set and maturity
and/or act as a barrier to disease spread in chickpea. This demonstration compared desi and kabuli
chickpea and flax as a monocrop to chickpea and flax as an intercrop.
Wheatland Conservation Area Inc. 2015

Ecological Farming Systems on the Canadian Prairies: A Path to Profitability, Sustainability and Resilience.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate a wide range of ecologically-based farming practices and systems for their potential role in enhancing the profitability, environmental sustainability, and resilience of cropping systems in the Canadian prairie provinces.
Joanne Thiessen Martens, Martin Entz and Mark Wonneck. University of Manitoba. 2013

Availability of late-season heat and water resources for relay and double cropping with winter wheat in prairie Canada

Long-term weather data for 21 sites across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta were analyzed to evaluate the availability of late-season heat and water resources between time of winter wheat maturity and freeze-up.
Article by: Joanne R. Thiessen Martens, Martin H. Entz. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 2005

Intercropping Field Pea Varieties for Organic Production.

The overall objective of this research was to establish the optimum ratio of leafed and semi-leafless field pea
varietal mixtures for organic and conventional crop production.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Development. 2013

Intercropping Chickpea with Flax. Saskatchewan Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies Research Report.

The objective of this project is to demonstrate that chickpeas can be grown in a non-traditional
chickpea growing area, either in monocrop or when intercropped with flax.
Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation. 2015.

Studies were carried out in 2005-2007 to evaluate the impact of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar choice and crop polycultures on soil microbial communities in organic and conventional systems, and subsequent wheat quality.
Thesis by Alison Gail Nelson, University of Alberta. 2011

Weed Management In Organic Crop Systems

Successful weed management in organic crop production systems requires an understanding of plant characteristics in relation to specific field conditions. This article serves to provide producers with a reference point from which they can plan crop rotations that are best suited for their individual situations. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

How to make organic no-till work for field crops in Southern Manitoba?

Agronomic Benefits of Intercropping Annual Crops in Manitoba

The objective of this study was to grow several important annual crops (wheat, canola, and field peas) as intercrops and to evaluate the benefits of growing these crops as intercrops as compared to monocrops.
Systems Agriculture, University of Manitoba. 2004

This study evaluated wheat cultivar mixtures and intercrops with wheat to determine whether these added elements of diversity would provide benefits to organic wheat production and reduce levels of weeds and diseases.
Natural Systems Agriculture. University of Manitoba. 2006

What’s in a label: for organics, the sky’s the limit

Pasture cropping: An integrated approach to grain and pasture production

Pasture cropping is a farmer-initiated land management system that seamlessly integrates cropping with pasture production, and allows grain growing to function as part of a truly perennial agriculture.
Permaculture Research Institute. 2012

Understanding the Values and Beliefs of Canadian Organic Food Consumers

Do Mixed Variety Crops Have To Be A “Dog’s Breakfast”?

Learn how carefully planned mixture, with good harvestability and a good market can be an ideal crop for an unpredictable and variable environment.
Article by Brenda Frick, featured in The Western Producer. 2005

Alberta Faba Bean Producers Manual

Optimizing the nitrogen supply of prairie organic agriculture with green manures and grazing

From 2008 to 2012 a series of field experiments were established to identify green manure species and management options to maximize N benefit to cash crops and explore the opportunities to reduce tillage during the green manure phase of an organic rotation. University of Manitoba. 2014

Cover Crops in Canada Website

Cover Crops Canada "observes the rotational, biological, nutritional, and economical benefits of using of cover cropping in grain and livestock operations to reduce production and financial risk to producers".

Seeded Legume Cover Crops for Late Season Production

A research trial was conducted at two locations to determine the feasibility of cover cropping in Manitoba. In this experiment, red clover and alfalfa were relay cropped with winter wheat and fall rye. Chickling vetch and black lentil were double cropped with winter wheat and fall rye.
Natural Systems Agriculture. University of Manitoba, 2004

Weed Management in Organic Crop Systems

The Not So Lowly Carrot: Import Replacement Opportunities for Canadian Organic Producers

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada article. Canada produces a lot of carrots and we also import a significant amount throughout the year, particularly from January to June before our own production is in full swing.

Organic Vegetable Production Systems Topics

Manual: How to Breed Tomatoes for Organic Agriculture

This manual teaches farmers how to breed tomatoes for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.

Manual: How to Breed Sweet Corn for Organic Agriculture

This manual teaches farmers how to breed sweet corn for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.

Manual: How to Breed Carrots for Organic Agriculture

This manual teaches farmers how to breed carrots for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.

Manual: Introduction to On-farm Organic Plant Breeding

This manual provides an overview of on-farm organic plant breeding methods, including an overview of basic genetics, farm-based experimental design, and appropriate breeding techniques for organic farms, among other useful background and instruction.

Weed Management for Organic Producers

The purpose of the literature review was to
summarize weed control literature relevant to organic producers, as a baseline for future research
efforts. Report by Brenda Frick. Saskatchewan Organic Directorate. 1998

Natural Systems Agriculture Organic Crops Field Laboratory

The Organic Crops Field Laboratory was established in 2004 to provide a long-term site for plot-scale organic field crops research. The Laboratory is located at Carman Manitoba on the University of Manitoba's Carman Research Station

Systems Design for Organic Weed Management

Systems Design for Soil Fertility

Joanne Thiessen Martens, part of the Natural Systems Farming team at the University of Manitoba tells us what can be done to manage nutrients and soil fertility on organic farms in Manitoba. Presentation delivered Brandon, MB - January 21, 2016

Increasing Soil Organic Matter in Organic Cropping Systems

Soil and Fertility Management in Organic Farming Systems

This article provides an overview of key concepts in organic fertility management, a review of essential macro and micronutrients, and a listing of nutrient amendments approved for use in organic farming systems. It summarizes strategies used to build and manage fertility on organic farms and provides tips on soil testing and use of nutrient budgets.

Measures of Soil Biology and Biological Activity

Organic management focuses on soil management with the intent to maintain and enhance soil biological activity. There are a variety of ways that biological activity is measured in soils. Few, if any, of these measures are used routinely to test soils in the way that standard chemical assays are used.

Fertility status of organically managed fields

For modern organic farmers, particularly those involved in large scale operations, balancing the nutrients that leave the farm with those that are returned to the soil is an ongoing challenge. Recognizing this, Dr. Diane Knight and a team of researchers from the University of Saskatchewan, in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, worked with 39 of Saskatchewan’s organic producers on 60 individual fields to determine which of four pre-determined organic management styles had the least impact on soil nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and sulphur levels.

Bacteria, fungi more numerous in organic soil systems

Mowing introduces reduced till to sweet clover termination

Farmers who want the benefits of sweet clover in a conservation tillage system will be encouraged by a new study from the Lethbridge Research Centre. Bob Blackshaw and his colleagues show that mowing can be an effective alternative to tillage for sweet clover termination.

As Above, So Below: Building Community in the Soil and in Agriculture

Keys to Phosphorus Management are Cycling and Recycling

Effective phosphorus (P) management on organic farms is based on two complementary approaches – recycling exported nutrients back into the system and helping crops access soil P and then cycling it back into the soil.

Reducing Tillage with Sweetclover Green Manure

Producers may be able to “manage weeds with sweetclover in a reduced tillage system”, according to a new study out of the Lethbridge Research Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Article by Brenda Frick, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. 2008

Using multiple methods key to weed control success

In weed control, combining different strategies can bring excellent results. Organic producers rely on a variety of control techniques, such as varied rotations, heavy seeding rates and competitive crops. Research suggests that combining these techniques can pack an extra wallop.
Western Producer, 2008

More seeds help controls weeds

Where has all the phosphorus gone?

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Studies from western Canada and around the world tell us that in many cases soil on organic farms is deficient in available P. Is this a serious problem, or are low levels simply a reflection of the way we measure P?

Building Community To Support Agriculture

Organic fertility: are green manures enough?

Every crop carries a package of nutrients that had been removed from the soil. When the crop is sold off farm, these nutrients are lost. To maintain soil fertility and to be sustainable in the long term, these nutrients must be replaced. Finding acceptable methods of replacing lost nutrients is crucial to the long term success of organic farming.

Plant larger seeds for more competitive crop

Seeding: To till or not to till

Jennifer Bromm interviewed many organic farmers in Saskatchewan about their tillage practices. She found that judicious spring tillage was often a part of their management systems. Tillage was used more often if fields were weedy, intended crops were weak competitors or soils were cold and wet.
Article by Brenda Frick, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. 2007

This study evaluated wheat cultivar mixtures and intercrops with wheat to determine whether these added elements of diversity would provide benefits to organic wheat production and reduce levels of weeds and diseases.
Natural Systems Agriculture. University of Manitoba, 2006

Mycorrhizae can unlock plants’ potential – Organic Matters

Benefits of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms in an area. It is greater if there are many types of organisms. Agricultural systems tend to limit biodiversity. As researchers take a broader view of farming systems, they discover advantages in biodiversity that go beyond simple explanations.

Organic Agriculture and biodiversity: Is there a link?

Organic farming can increase the diversity of plants and animals, according to a recent analysis of over 180 studies. The analysis showed that on average, the number of species increased about 30% in organic systems and the number of individual plants and animals was 50% greater on organic farms.

Mobile abattoirs: Benefits and Challenges (part 2)

This is the second of two articles that discusses the potential for mobile abattoirs in Canada. Part 1 appears elsewhere on this website. Article by Jane Morrigan. Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. 2005

Reducing erosion potential on organic farms

The many benefits of biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of organisms living in an area. The more types of organisms, not just the number of individual creatures, means the greater the biodiversity. Agricultural systems tend to limit biodiversity. As researchers take a broader view of farming systems, they discover advantages in biodiversity that go beyond simple explanations.